President of Kenya: Your Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta: Enact Stiffer Penalties for Wildlife Crimes As A Matter of Urgency

Poaching and killing of our wildlife is escalating at an alarming rate. Almost every week, we are losing rhinos and elephants in such a brutal manner for their horns and ivory, and sometimes their faces are hacked away even before they have died. Human brutality! The KWS is up against an ongoing battle to protect our wildlife and risking their lives in carrying out their duties against armed poachers. In the last week, certain elephants, in the Masai Mara, which had attracted world attention after being treated for gunshot wounds and having poisoned spearheads removed from their bodies by KWS Vets and Conservation Agencies, were again felled down, immediately they moved out of sight of those monitoring them. Not to mention, other pregnant, or otherwise elephants and rhinos killed elsewhere, and the family of 11 elephants massacred in Tsavo earlier this year. To note as well, the killing of numerous lions and other felines with many other animals, which are killed by various methods (including roadkills) and are not brought to the attention of the public. The blood bath of animals and humans must end. A passenger smuggling ivory through JKA was caught and sentenced to a mere fine of US $ 1 = per kilo of ivory! Our current laws are far too lenient. We need strong punitive laws in force to detract people from this wanton destruction of our National Heritage. Our country is being used as a gateway for ferrying wildlife trophies due to these outdated laws. People know that they can get off lightly. It is time to change the Risk Reward profile and end the poaching menace.

This missive has been sent by Olga Levari Ercolano and has already been delivered. We need as many signatures of support. Please visit Kenyans For Wildlife on Facebook for more information

This petition was delivered to:

President of Kenya: His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta

Letter to

President of Kenya: His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta

Dear Mr President:

As concerned individuals and members of Kenyans For Wildlife, we are aggrieved at the continuing and ongoing slaughter of our endangered wildlife.

Just yesterday evening, a distress message was sent out seeking help for 4 more elephants being slaughtered in Rumuruti and gunshots being heard and gunshots being the order of the night.

Poaching and killing of our wildlife is escalating at an alarming rate. Almost every week, we are losing rhinos and elephants in such a brutal manner for their horns and ivory, and sometimes their faces are hacked away even before they have died.

Human brutality!

The KWS is up against an ongoing battle to protect our wildlife and risking their lives in carrying out their duties against armed poachers. In the last week, certain elephants, in the Masai Mara, which had attracted world attention after being treated for gunshot wounds and having poisoned spearheads removed from their bodies by KWS Vets and Conservation Agencies, were again felled down, immediately they moved out of sight of those monitoring them. Not to mention, other pregnant, or otherwise elephants and rhinos killed elsewhere, and the family of 11 elephants massacred in Tsavo earlier this year. To note as well, the killing of numerous lions and other felines with many other animals, which are killed by various methods (including roadkills) and are not brought to the attention of the public.

There is also the problem human/animal conflict, where lions or leopards hunt livestock, or hippos and elephants trample crops. (Problems related to land use and occupation and lack of territorial planning). The safety of all needs addressing here. There is a gentleman installing night flashing lights around bomas of certain communities and this seems to be working well and acting as a good deterrent. People living in problem areas need to take or be helped in taking protective action.

The blood bath of animals and humans must end.

A passenger smuggling ivory through JKA was caught and sentenced to a mere fine of US $ 1 = per kilo of ivory! Our current laws are far too lenient. We need strong punitive laws in force to detract people from this wanton destruction of our National Heritage. Our country is being used as a gateway for ferrying wildlife trophies due to these outdated laws. People know that they can get off lightly.

Mr President, knowing that you have the welfare of Kenya's Wildlife and National Heritage at heart and have made your pledge, we humbly seek your intervention in ensuring that remedial stringent and budgetary measures as per the new Wildlife Bill tabled before parliament are enacted and enforced as a matter of urgency, to put a stop to this massacre of our wildlife, which is the pride of our nation and a major source of income from tourism.

Your Excellency, I thank you sincerely for taking time to read my plea and I have absolute faith in your esteemed judgement.